Is your little one late to speak? (Delayed Speech or Language Development) Let's be aware of this!

Like all other abilities and skills, the age at which children learn language and start speaking can vary from one person to another. Some babies pick up words very quickly, while others take a little longer. However, if you have a little understanding of how this speech and language development develops, you as a parent can understand whether there is something you need to be concerned about with your child, or if this is normal.

What is speech and language? What is the difference between the two?

Although we often use these two words interchangeably, there is a slight difference between the two. If understood correctly, this is important when looking at a child's development.

Simply put, speech is the way we express language through our mouths. That is, the way we pronounce sounds and words, that is, articulation . Think about it, when we speak, we say words clearly, like "mom" and "dad" clearly. This includes things like the clarity, speed, and rhythm of the voice.

Language is a much broader concept. It is the exchange of information. We use language to understand ideas and to make others understand us. This can happen in several ways:

• Verbal: The way we communicate using words.
• Nonverbal: This means things like gestures, facial expressions, etc.
• Written: Reading and understanding things like books and letters.

So, if language is a system for communicating ideas, then speech is the act of speaking the words in that system. Got it?

What are Speech or Language Delays?

Speech problems and language problems are two different things, but sometimes they can coexist. This is why when some children are late in speaking, it is important to find the exact cause. Let's look at an example.

For example, a child with a language delay may say a few words well, but may only be able to string together two words ("baby rice," "I want water"). He may have difficulty forming long sentences appropriate for his age, expressing complex ideas, or understanding a story. He may also have a limited vocabulary.

On the other hand, a child with a speech delay may try to express himself using words and phrases. He knows what he wants to say, but it is very difficult to understand what he is saying. The words may seem unclear, some letters may not be pronounced, or he may stutter.

What are the signs of a speech or language delay? How do we recognize it?

If you have a baby who doesn't respond to sounds, or doesn't make any sounds (such as gurgling, crying) even at a young age, you should take him to a doctor right away. It's very important.

But often, it's difficult for parents to understand whether their child is just late to talk or if there's a problem. It's good to pay attention to this development of the child from an early age.

Here are some things to keep an eye on. It's wise to talk to a doctor if your child is doing any of these things:

• By 12 months (one year): If they don't use simple hand gestures, such as pointing or waving "bye-bye."
• At 18 months: If you are trying to express yourself primarily through gestures rather than vocalizations.
• Even at 18 months: Difficulty imitating sounds made by others (e.g. animal sounds, vehicle sounds).
• Even at 18 months: Difficulty understanding simple verbal requests (e.g., "Give me the ball," "Come on, son").
• By 2 years: Only imitates what others say or do, but does not speak words or phrases of their own (spontaneously) .
• Even at 2 years old: If he continues to say some sounds or words, but is unable to communicate anything other than his immediate needs (e.g. eating, drinking, sleeping).
• By 2 years: If you can't follow simple directions (e.g., "Get the toy").
• Even after 2 years: If there is an unusual quality to the voice (for example, a hoarse, nasal voice like when you have a cold, or a very low voice).

Also, if you feel like your child's speech is more difficult to understand than it is for their age, you should talk to a doctor about that as well.

Typically, parents and caregivers should be able to understand about 50% of what a 2-year-old child says.

At 3 years old, you should understand about 75%.

By the age of 4, even someone who doesn't know the child very well should be able to understand most of what the child is saying.

What are the causes of these speech or language delays?

There can be many reasons why a child may be late to talk. Some are simple, while others require special attention.

Speech delay can be caused by the following reasons:

• Oral impairment: For example, problems with the tongue or palate (the top of the mouth) .
• Short frenulum: This can cause tongue-tie, which is a condition that can be corrected with a simple surgery.

Children with speech delays often have oral-motor problems . These occur when there is a problem with the parts of the brain that are responsible for speech. Specifically, they have difficulty coordinating the lips, tongue, and jaw to produce sounds. Children with these problems may also have other oral-motor problems, such as eating and swallowing.

Hearing problems can also have a significant impact on speech. If a child cannot hear words and sounds properly, how will he or she imitate, understand, and use them? Therefore, if there is any doubt about speech, it is very important to have your child's hearing tested by an audiologist .

Ear infections , especially chronic infections , can temporarily affect hearing. However, if hearing is normal in at least one ear, it usually does not cause significant problems with speech and language development.

In addition, speech and language delays can also be seen in conditions such as developmental disorders (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder). Also, if someone in the family has had a late speech development as a child (family history), it can also be due to genetic factors.

How to diagnose speech or language delays? (Diagnosis)

If you think your child has a problem like this, it's important to see a Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) without delay. Some people also call them Speech Therapists . You can find a speech therapist on your own, or ask your family doctor for a referral.

This speech therapist will carefully examine your child's speech and language skills. He or she will perform various standardized tests to determine if the child has reached the important speech and language development milestones appropriate for their age.

The speech therapist also looks specifically at these things:

• What does your child understand: This is called receptive language . It means the ability to understand what others say and instructions.
• What your child can say: This is called expressive language . It is the ability to express their ideas and needs in words and sentences.
• Sound development and clarity of speech: Whether the child pronounces different sounds correctly and whether words are clear.
• Your child's oral-motor status: This refers to how well the mouth, tongue, palate, and lips work together to speak, eat, and swallow.

Based on the results of these tests, the speech and language therapist may recommend that your child needs speech therapy .

How can speech therapy help?

Speech therapy is not about punishing your child or scaring them. It's about learning through play. A speech therapist will work with your child through activities, toys, and pictures to help them develop their speech and language skills.

They will also teach you how to help your child at home. This is like teamwork. Following the therapist's instructions at home can help speed up your child's progress.

How can parents help?

Parents play a very important role in helping children with speech or language problems. You are the ones who spend the most time with your child, and you are their first teacher. So your help is essential.

Here are some things you can do at home to encourage your child's speech skills:

• Prioritize communication: Talk to your baby as much as possible, sing songs, and encourage him to imitate sounds and gestures (cues). It's very important to talk to him while playing with him from an early age, and respond to the little sounds he makes. Say things like, "Oh, my son, you're smiling at me, aren't you?"
• Read books to your child: Start when your child is young. Choose age-appropriate soft books , board books , or books with large, clear pictures, and encourage your child to look at the pictures as you name the objects in the pictures. Say simple things like, "Look at this ball," or "Here's a big elephant." As your child gets older, ask questions about the objects in the book and encourage them to tell you the story.
• Use everyday situations: Develop your child's speech and language by talking about things you do throughout the day. For example, name fruits and vegetables when you go to the store ("This is a red tomato"), describe what you are doing when you are cooking or cleaning a room ("Mommy is going to put the rice on the stove now"), point to things around the house and tell them what they are. Say these things simply, but avoid using "baby talk". It is best to pronounce words correctly and speak in simple, complete sentences. If your child says a word incorrectly, do not criticize him, but teach him the correct word in a loving way.

Remember, it's best to identify and treat these speech and language delays early. If you have any concerns about your child's speech or language development, be sure to see your doctor. The later it is, the harder it can be to help your child.

Finally, things you need to remember (Take-Home Message)

So, from what we've discussed, it's clear to you that a child's speech and language development is something that requires some attention. Not all children are the same, and their development rates may vary. But if you feel that there is some delay, don't be afraid to say, "It's okay, it will get better on its own."

The most important thing is to know that you are not alone. There are health professionals, including doctors, speech therapists, and others, who can help and guide you. If these conditions are identified early, there is a great chance that the child will be given the help they need quickly and will develop their abilities to the fullest. So, don't be afraid, don't be ashamed, and if you have even the slightest doubt in your mind, seek medical advice immediately. It will be a great help in giving your child a beautiful and successful future!

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